Track device for automatic train-stops.



C. A. EIB. TRACK DEVICE FOR AUTOMATIC TRAIN STOPS. APPLICATION FILEDAUG.3, 1914.

1,186,45 Patented Apr. 27, 1915.

WITNESSES fi/QL/ 'NVENTOR ATTORN EY lib .mseeaa.

UTWTM CHARLES A. EIIB, OF NEW BRUNSWICK, NEMT JERSEY;

TRACK DEVICE FOR AUTQMATIG TEAIN-STOPS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

' rammed Apr. 27, rats.

original application filed October 8, e13, ilerial Ito. 794,107. Dividedand this application filed August 3,

. 1914. Serial No. $5 1,753.

Serial No. 794,107.

The object of the present invention is to improve the construction oftrack devices for automatic train stops and to provide a simple,practical, and eificient track device,

of strong and durable construction, capable of edectually preventingunauthorized persons from surreptitiously moving it to its engagingposition to actuate the automatic train stop mechanism of a train forstopping the latter.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in theconstruction and novel combination of parts hereinafter fully described,illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and pointed out in the claimshereto appended, it being understood that various cianges in the form,proportion, size and minor details of construction, within the scope ofthe claims, may be resorted to Without departing from the spirit orsacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawings-Figure 1 is a side elevation of a track deviceconstructed in accordnnce with this invention and shown in position on atrack, the cross ties beingKin section. Fig. 2 is a sectional view to entransversely of the track, the traclr device being shown in frontelevation. Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of the trackdevice. 7

Like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all thefigures of the drawing.

In the accompanying drawing, in which is illustrated the preferredembodiment of the invention, 1 designates a track device comprising avertically movable plunger 2 provided at its upper end with a roundedtransversely disposed head 3 projecting latorally at opposite sides ofthe plum er and movable into and out of the path 0 a shoe l of trainmechanism of an automatic train stop. The shoe 1-, which is pivotallyconnected at its rear end 5 to a supporting bracket 6, is connected withand adapted to actuate a vertically movablerod or stem 7, guided in anarm 8 of the supporting bracket and designed to be connected by meansshown and described in the aforesaid application with devices forcutting off the steam from the.cylinders of a locomotive and forapplying the brakes of a train. While the track device of the presentinvention is designed primarily for use in connection with the automatictrain stop' of the aforesaid application, it may, of course, be used foractuating a movable shoe or analogous element of any other similarautomatic train stop.

. The plunger 2 operates in a vertical fluid pressure cylinder 9provided at its lower end with an attaching portion or base 10, which isbolted or otherwise secured to a cross tie 11. The track device ispreferably arranged at the center of a track 12, as illustrated in Fig.2 of the drawing, but the track device may be mounted in any other.

desired manner and may also be located at either side of a track, sothat a separate set of signals and track devices may be arranged at eachside of a single track for controlling trains traveling thereon inopposite directions.- The vertical cylinder 9 15 connected at thebottom-by a pipe 13 with a suitable source of air supply or other fluidpressure, preferably the pipe lines for operating a semaphore or othersignal, and when pressure is introduced into the lower end of the saidcylinder 9,-the lunger 2 is torced upwardly to its elevate or enga 'ngposition into the path ottheshoe 4. When the air is exhausted, theplunger descends by gravity, assisted by a pairof coiled springs 14,mounted on the lower portion of spaced vertical rods 15 secured at theirupper ends to the transverse head 3 of the plun er and extendingdownwardly therefrom t rough openings 16 in horizontal guiding arms 17preferably formed integral with and extending from opposite sides of thecylinder 9 at the 11 per portion thereof. The up er ends 18 o theslidable rods 15 are pro on ldtl lldb

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, lower pairs and adjustably supporting the coiled springs 14, which areinterposed between said nuts and the fixed horizontal guiding arms 17.The plunger is provided at its ortion with suitable packing rings 21,and in practice, suction will effectually prevent the plunger from beingsurreptitiously lifted by unauthorized persons when the air iscut off,so that it will be impossible for such persons to stop a train by movingthe track device from its lower position to its elevated or engagingposition. The pairs of nuts, which are arranged on the threaded lowerends of the rods, provide for an adjustment of the springs to regulatethe tension thereof, and the arrangement of the nuts in pairs serves tolock them in their adjustment. The cylinder is equipped at its top witha suitable stufling box 22. When the train mechanism,shown and describedin the aforesaid application engages and is operated by the trackdevice, the brakes are applied and steam is cut off from the cylindersof the engine, as explained in the said application.

l/Vhat is claimed is:

1.7A track device of the class described comprising a fluid pressurecylinder, a plunger operating in the cylinder and movable upwardly anddownwardly, a spring arranged exteriorly of the cylinder, and means alsoarranged exteriorly of the cylinder for connecting the spring with theplunger for moving the same downwardly.

2. A track device of the class described comprising afluid pressurecylinder, a plunger operating in the cylinder and movable upwardly anddownwardly, said plunger being provided with across head, rods locatedat opposite sides of the plunger and con-:

nected with the cross head, mounted on the rods and the plungerdownwardly.

3. A track device of the class described comprising a fluid pressurecylinder provided with projecting guiding arms, a plunger operating inthe cylinder and movable upwardly and downwardly, rods connected andsprings arranged to urge inseam with the plunger and guided by the saiderating in the cylinder and provided with a' cross head located abovethe said arms, vertically movable rods secured at their upper ends tothe cross head and guided by the said arms, and springs disposed on thelower portions of the rods below the guiding arms and arranged to becompressed in the upward movement of the plunger.

5. A track device of the class described including a vertical fluidpressure cylinder provided at the upper portion with horizontalprojecting arms having openings, a plunger operating in the cylinder andprovidedat the upper end with a laterally projecting cross head,vertical rods secured at their upper ends to the projecting portions ofthe cross head, and guided in the openings of the said arms, said rodshaving lower threaded portions, nuts arranged on the lower threadedportions of the rods, and coiled springs disposed on the rods andinterposed between the nuts and the arms and adapted to urge the plungerdownwardly.

6. A track device of the class described comprising a fluid pressurecylinder, a plunger operating in the cylinder and movable upwardly anddownwardly, an exteriorly arranged spring, and means for connecting thespring with the plunger and for adjusting the tension of the spring,said spring operating to urge the plunger downwardly.

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have heretoaflixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES A. EIB.

